neuron

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neuron

neuron specialized cell in animals that, as a unit of the nervous system , carries information by receiving and transmitting electrical impulses.

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"neuron." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 27 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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neuron

A Dictionary of Biology | 2004 | Â© A Dictionary of Biology 2004, originally published by Oxford University Press 2004. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

neuron (neurone; nerve cell) An elongated branched cell that is the fundamental unit of the nervous system, being specialized for the conduction of impulses. A neuron consists of a cell body, containing the nucleus and Nissl granules; dendrites, which receive incoming impulses and pass them towards the cell body; and an axon, which conducts impulses away from the cell body, sometimes over long distances. Impulses are passed from one neuron to the next via synapses. Sensory neurons transmit information from receptors to the central nervous system. Motor neurons conduct information from the central nervous system to effectors (e.g. muscles). (See illustration.) See also bipolar neuron; multipolar neuron; unipolar neuron.

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World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Â© World Encyclopedia 2005, originally published by Oxford University Press 2005. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

neuron (nerve cell) Basic structural unit of the nervous system, which enables rapid transmission of impulses between different parts of the body. It is composed of a cell body, containing a nucleus, and a number of trailing processes. The largest of these is the axon, which carries outgoing impulses; the rest are dendrites, which receive incoming impulses.

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